Orion The Fallen God Chapter 13: Chapter 12 - The Weight of Hope

Read chapter 13 of Orion The Fallen God by AltexTV on NovelPedia.

Silence lingered throughout the Angelic Council chamber long after the projection faded. The image of the corrupted fleet still remained burned into the minds of everyone present. Dozens of warships stolen from Havoc now moved alongside demon vessels through the outer systems, spreading deeper into universal territory with every passing hour. No one within the chamber questioned the severity of the situation anymore. The discussion was no longer about whether Valak had become a threat. It was about how far that threat would spread before anyone could stop it. The High Elder remained seated at the center of the council, his expression grim as streams of information continued flowing across the holographic displays suspended around the room. Reports from nearby systems appeared one after another. Lost communications, destroyed outposts and entire sectors falling silent without explanation. "The outer colonies are already beginning to panic," one of the elders said heavily. "Trade routes connected to Havoc have collapsed completely." "Several frontier worlds are requesting immediate military protection," another added. "We do not have enough available forces to reinforce all of them." "The demon fleet is expanding too quickly," said another member. The chamber filled with overlapping discussion as concern spread among the council members. Even the composed structure of the Angelic leadership was beginning to crack beneath the pressure of the growing crisis. Renku stood quietly near the center of the room beside Zether, Andreia, and Zarella, listening carefully as the council argued over possible responses. The atmosphere had shifted drastically since they first arrived from Havoc. Fear had become urgency. Zarella stepped slightly forward, her calm voice cutting through the noise. "The demons are moving with coordination," she explained. "This is not random destruction. They're targeting systems with strategic value first." "And Valak?" one elder asked carefully. This time, neither Renku nor Zether answered immediately. The question itself already carried its own conclusion. "He's leading them," Andreia said quietly. No one disputed it. The High Elder slowly folded his hands together. "Then we must assume the situation will continue escalating." One of the military advisors turned toward the council projection. "If the fleet continues at its current pace, they could reach the central systems within weeks." "That quickly?" another elder asked. "They already possess Havoc's supply network," the advisor replied. "Every world they seize strengthens their reach." The realization settled heavily across the chamber. For the first time in centuries, the Angelics were facing a conflict they could not predict or fully contain. Andreia finally broke the silence forming between them. "Then we need allies," she said with confidence. Several members of the council immediately stiffened. Andreia's expression remained firm as she continued. "The Arcadians." The reaction was immediate. "No." The response came so quickly it almost overlapped with her final word. One elder rose partially from his seat, visible frustration spreading across his face. "You cannot seriously believe Arcadia would stand beside us after everything that has happened between our people." Andreia crossed her arms. "I believe they don't want the universe destroyed any more than we do." "That assumption could cost us everything," he replied. "The Arcadians have spent decades trying to undermine Angelic influence," another council member added sharply. "Entire systems burned because of that war." "And Angelic retaliation destroyed Arcadian colonies in return," Andreia answered evenly. "Neither side gets to claim innocence anymore." Tension spread rapidly through the chamber. The history between the Angelics and Arcadians ran deep. Border wars, territorial conflicts, broken treaties, retaliations that had lasted generations. Entire worlds still carried scars left behind by their